You're To Blame 2: A High School Bully Romance (Haven Saints High)

by Brooke Jordan

  Tate swung the door open and stormed out.

  “That’s right. I never want to see your sorry ass again,” Dad roared, then slammed the door.

  I crossed my arms over my chest. “Dad, I could break up with my boyfriend just fine.”

  “You two suck at a fake break up. I had to make it look convincing.”

  My hand flew over my mouth to hide the laughter. “I’m turning in.”

  “What are you two up to?”

  “Dad, I haven’t the foggiest idea what you are talking about.”

  “Yeah, right? The last time you two really called it quits he was ready to fight me over you. Tate loves you. He wouldn’t jeopardize his future with you.”

  “Dad, you can’t tell Mom. If you do...”

  “She’ll tell Melissa. I’m aware. Do a better job at school pretending to be upset. Stay away from each other.”

  I leaned on my tippy toes and kissed his cheek. “Will do. Thanks, Dad.”

  I LAID ACROSS MY RED bedspread, staring at Tate.

  “You know this shit sucks. We’re limited to FaceTime every day. I can’t even see you in the hallway because you're expelled.”

  “At least we can see each other. My dad wanted to talk principal Wade out of my week long suspension. I told him don’t bother. Maybe all the chatter would have died down by the time I return to school.”

  “I don’t know, babe. I think they are waiting for your return. You’ve announced on social media you’re single. Which I hate, by the way. Not sure that asshole couple will buy our break up.”

  “I doubt they will either. But we have to try. This is more so for the girls bidding for your affection. I want the videos to stop. Remember when I return to school, you’ll need to invite girls to sit with you at lunch.”

  He slipped his fingers through his hair. “I really don’t want to do that. All I want to do is crush those lips. How about I come over? You can let me in the back door.”

  “Dad said we suck at fake break ups and we need to do a better job pretending to hate each other.”

  “You’d think we’d be better at faking to hate each other seeing as though we did.”

  “It’s hard to fake hate someone you love.”

  “You’re right. I need to hold you.”

  “Tate, it’s Friday night. I’m sure there’s a party you are supposed to attend.”

  The sexiest smile lit his lips. “Three to be exact. But I’m not going. Meet me at the diner. Wear a baseball cap. I’ll wait for you in a back booth under the name Gramm.”

  “Tate, we shouldn’t.”

  “I haven’t touched you since Monday. If it wasn’t for FaceTime, I’d be climbing the walls of your house.”

  I threw my hand over my face and laughed. “Tate, you’re so romantic.”

  “No, baby, I’m not. I need to be. When this shit is over you and I will frequent ritzy restaurants. Now get a move on. I’ll see you in forty-five minutes.”

  I waved goodbye before tossing my cell on the bed.

  My week was spent studying. The mountain of homework was outrageous. Dad emailed all my teachers requesting extra credit assignments. He wanted to ensure my focus was on my studies. I’d like to think my parents believed I wouldn’t cut myself while I was alone. But deep down I think they were still afraid all the pressure I was under would make me crack. Dad worked from home Tuesday and Wednesday. Mom moved her appointments to Friday so she could stay home Thursday. I hadn’t seen my mother much, so it was a real treat. Today was the first day I was home alone.

  The gold Bentley screamed follow me, so I drove the Yukon to the diner. Hm, maybe I should drive the truck next week and park in the back lot. Bet I’d walk into school undetected.

  I didn’t wait to be seated. There was only one big booth in the very back. I’d eaten at the diner enough to know where Tate was sitting.

  I slid into the booth. “Hey,” I whispered.

  His big blue eyes smiled from underneath his favorite team’s cap. “So good to see that beautiful face in person.”

  My skin heated. I missed him so much. He locked our fingers, and we scanned the menu.

  “Matt said you could probably use your connections to try out for football teams.”

  “Yeah, Uncle Lake Sr. knows the owner of my favorite team and a few other important coaches in the league. I’ll try out in April.”

  I threw my arms around his neck. “I am so proud of you.”

  “I want you there.”

  Pulling back, my fingers slipped over his cheek. “Of course, I’ll be there.”

  We placed our order with the waitress. She returned with our drinks a short time later.

  “I’d been meaning to tell you about Kyle.”

  He sighed as his head thudded the wall. “Rocco told me a few days ago.”

  “I can’t believe he knew Mason was alive too.”

  “It makes sense now that I think back. He hated we were together. Stephen didn’t give a shit. But Kyle grilled you that night at his party.”

  “Yeah. Did you tell him?”

  “Nope. I might be able to use the knowledge to my advantage. He doesn’t sit with us anymore. Mason has his own table.”

  “Good.”

  “That reminds me. My granddad Harlon said I can use one of his condo’s up the street until the end of the school year.”

  I looped my arm around his. “Yes.” I sipped my cola.

  “Did your granddad Harlon ever ask you to work at his company?”

  “He said I could if I wanted too. He also deposited money into my account. My granddad said he always had a bad feeling about grandfather Douglas. He said he had no idea he’d go to such lengths to force my hand into running the Forresters empire.” Tate shook his head. Besides, I much rather work in real estate.”

  The waitress returned and placed our orders before us. We expressed our appreciation, then returned to our conversation.

  My hat tipped up as I nuzzled his neck. “So good to have you home.”

  “Baby, it feels good to be home in a real bed. The Hughes estate is lavish, but I’d rather live at home with my parents. Not to mention sleep in my bedroom.”

  “Tate, maybe you should go home. Or visit on the weekends.”

  “I think you’re right. I’ll visit on the weekends for now. If I can tolerate Mason then I’ll return home full time.” He bit into his cheeseburger.

  “It’s hard to believe he was living in London for four years. You were the only kid living in your parents’ house now your brother has returned. What is that like?” I slid a forkful of chicken fettuccine into my mouth.

  “Sitting in that conference room and in walks Mason. I couldn’t believe it. How was he alive? His need to seek revenge seeped from his bones. His evil stare penetrated my soul. It was enough to make me want to rip his head off. All he wanted was you.”

  A chill swept up my spine as I remembered how he tried to pretend to be Tate.

  “He couldn’t wait to lock me away. Mason wanted my girl and to ruin my life,” he stated through gritted teeth.

  “Do you think he’ll ever change?”

  “I don’t know. The second grandfather died, I thought Mason would snap out of it. See that he could become himself again. The revenge shit’s still at the forefront of his mind.”

  “Believe it or not he loves Marisa. The way they stare into each other’s eyes...it’s almost like they feed off the other. One thing is for sure, he can do no wrong in her eyes.” I swiped a fry off Tate’s plate.

  “Mason thought your family forgot about him. He didn’t know about the holiday candle y’all lit for him every year. For a millisecond, he wanted to do good. I was thankful he put your grandfather in his place. He pulled him off of me. Told him he wouldn’t allow him to abuse me. He grabbed him up by his shirt. Said he knew how he felt about Marisa but he was agreeing to marry me. After Mason carried me out of the office, I tried using his moment of clarity to free you. No such luck.” I shook my head.

>   “After Matt and I rescued you his hate for you returned. Outweighing anything else.”

  Tate gripped my neck, staring into my eyes. He swallowed hard. “I hate I wasn’t able to put him down before he laid a hand on you.”

  I rubbed my cheek along his hand. “I love that we’re in our special place.” I peeked up. “The mood lighting is always perfect.”

  “Yeah, it is.” He breathlessly took my lips.

  I shoved my tongue into his mouth. Tate wasted no time tangling our tongues.

  “We have to stop.” I broke our kiss. My head rested on his chest.

  “Asshole Tate needs to be present Monday.”

  He sighed. “Fine.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  “Chelsea.” Megan and Connie waved me down from the back door as I climbed out of the truck.

  “Can’t believe you parked back here.” Megan shook her head.

  I strutted toward them.

  “Princess Megan, we know you never would,” I snickered looping my arm through hers.

  “Megan, you know she’s right. You love parking amongst the row of Bentleys. I’m with Chelsea. The back lot is low on the radar.”

  “Well, you two bitches go right ahead and park in the teachers' lot.”

  “Megan, that is an overflow lot for students.” I shook my head, laughing.

  “Once again you two can have it. I’ll remain on Bentley row waiting for you to reclaim your spot.”

  We turned down the long hall on the second floor blending in with a sea of seniors.

  “How are you doing? I can’t believe you and Tate called it quits a week ago.” Connie’s eyes were glued to my side profile.

  “I can’t shed another tear for him.” Connie and Trevor had no idea Tate was locked up in London while Mason ran around Haven River wreaking havoc. Megan barely said a word because she knew if I broke up with Tate over all the chicks it wasn’t real. Which meant Matt didn’t believe it either. Surprised Matt hadn’t called Tate out about it.

  “Don’t look now. Tate’s surrounded by girls across the way.” Megan arched a brow at me.

  His hair was combed and moussed perfectly to the back. Those heart stopping blue eyes met mine. Friday and Saturday night, he insisted on sleeping over. He parked one of his granddad’s cars in our six-car garage. I didn’t want to be separated from Tate. My body turned toward him. Megan gripped my arm. “No. Follow through,” she whispered in my ear.

  “Don’t let him weaken you, Chelse.” Connie yanked my arm in the other direction.

  “Thanks, guys.” I opened my locker.

  “I’m down for a little fun,” Tate blurted out.

  “Not feeling any girls with dark hair. Just blondes. You know what they say blonde girls are freakier,” Tate chuckled in the distance.

  My fist slammed on a text book inside my locker.

  “We’ll walk you to class, Chelsea.” Megan leaned her head against the locker.

  “No need, ladies.” We turned to the deep silky voice.

  My brows dipped. “Lake, what happened to your lip?”

  “Family squabble. Nothing more. I’ll gladly fight for your honor, Chelsea.” He cocked a grin.

  I tugged his lapels and kissed his cheek. “That’s so sweet.”

  I closed my locker. “Well, girls I guess I’ll see y’all at lunch.”

  Connie clapped. “Way to go, Chelse.”

  I looped my arm around Lake’s. Tate stood at his locker; arms draped over two blonde chicks’ shoulders. His jaw twitched and his eyes narrowed. “What the fuck are you looking at, Lake?”

  We turned in the opposite direction.

  “My cousin has anger issues. Tell him to chill, would you?”

  “Yes, I will. Sorry, Lake. Hey have you seen Matt?”

  “No, he hadn’t been to the house.”

  “That’s strange. I’ll have to call him.” I glimpsed at Lake.

  “You probably shouldn’t help me. I don’t want Tate to keep taking his frustrations out on you.”

  He smirked. “I can handle my cousin. He loves you, a lot though.”

  I smiled, leaning my head on his shoulder. “I know. I’m a lucky girl.”

  “Want to go bowling this weekend?”

  “Yeah, sounds like fun. Can I invite my friends?”

  “Yup.”

  “Slut,” a chick blurted out in passing.

  I laughed. “That’s perfect. I’m the slut for moving on. But he isn’t. He’s slept with almost every girl in this school you know,” I yelled.

  Lakes gray eyes widened. “Don’t let them get to you.”

  I slipped my fingers through my long dark locks. “You’re right. See you later.”

  First hour, I kept my head down and listened to the lecture. Second hour and third hour were comical. Girls were happy to spread rumors about hooking up with Tate this past weekend. I chuckled inside because I knew he was with me. Marisa’s stone-cold gaze never left the front of the classroom. I peeked at her from my new seat next to the window. Slapping her across her face wouldn’t hurt the baby, right? No Chelsea, keep your distance.

  Lunch was painful. Tate sat with a blonde on each side at his table. I had to tough it out. If I were to leave, he’d check on me. I glanced across the lunchroom at Mason’s table. It was like a team divided. Half the football and basketball team sat with Mason and the other half sat with Tate. Not sure why no one gossiped about how Tate and Mason never said more than two words to each other. After the shit Mason and Marisa pulled after Christmas break, Tate and I decided against having a conversation with them right now. We had to strategize.

  I peeked at my cell. Matt hadn’t called or texted me back. Shit. I lowered my head before stalking across the lunch room.

  “Marisa.”

  Her lip ticked up in irritation. “What bumpkin?”

  “Where’s Matt?”

  She laughed. “Do I look like I keep tabs on him?”

  Mason chuckled.

  “Don’t.” My eyes narrowed.

  I shouldn’t be over here. Tate’s eyes were burning a hole in my back. I could feel him.

  “Can you not be a bitch for once? Was Matt at home this morning?”

  She stared me up and down. “Wait, now that you aren’t with precious Tate.” She cocked her head to the side.

  “Are you fucking my brother now?”

  Whispering fell over the table.

  Her gray eyes glinted. This was a bad idea. I turned on my heels and stalked back to my table. I rested my hands in my lap, twiddling with my plaid skirt as I sat amongst my friends. Tate met my gaze. I squeezed my eyes shut. Don’t fall under his spell. He’ll have us end the break up right now if I let him.

  “Megan, when was the last time you talked to Matt?”

  She sipped her orange soda. Her fingers slipped over her brow. “I don’t remember.”

  Lies.

  The second lunch was over I darted out of the lunchroom. “Chelsea, where are you off to?” Connie yelled.

  I peeked over my shoulder. “To class.”

  “Are you sure? Isn’t your class the other way?” Trevor pointed over his shoulder.

  “I need to ask around about Matt?” I continued down the hall.

  “What about Matt, Chelse?”

  Jesus. I squeezed my eyes shut as I froze. What we’d done Friday and Saturday night shot through my brain. It was so good. A tingling sensation swept through my body. I remember he said, “Do you want it harder?”

  “Chelsea.” His deep vocals heated my core.

  “Um, yeah?”

  “Why are you looking for Matt?”

  I couldn’t turn and meet his gaze because I’d be tempted to take him to an empty classroom and have my way with my boyfriend.

  “I haven’t talked to him. Have you?”

  “Not since last week.”

  “And you haven’t called him?”

  “I have. He hadn’t called back. Sometimes he disappears. You know he does that from time to t
ime.”

  “Yeah, ok. I will find him.”

  “We will find him. I’ll grab your keys from your locker and I’ll wait for you inside your truck out back,” he whispered.

  I nodded.

  The faint scent of his cologne lingered after he walked away.

  By last period I was ready to claw my eyes out. I’d become the biggest whore in the entire school. I’d now linked up with Matt and Lake. They said Tate dumped me because of my whorish ways. Seriously. The idiots thrived on gossip. I skated out the back door. I knew Tate wouldn’t risk being seen. He probably left before the bell rang.

  I climbed into the truck and shut the door. My eyes lingered over my handsome sleeping passenger in the reclined seat. My eyes bulged at his huge boner.

  “Don’t stare at it. Rub it.” His eyes popped open.

  “Several chicks tried today. Thanks to my girlfriend who said I need to act like an asshole.”

  I smiled and gripped his cock. “They’re so excited to be back in your presence. It’s sickening.”

  He laughed. “I think you get a kick out of it.”

  “Hm. A little. A few girls said they were with you this weekend. I chuckled because you were with me.”

  He clutched my face and sucked my lips into his.

  I pulled back a hair. “Tate, we need to find Matt.”

  “Let’s go. I’ll give you directions.”

  Fifteen minutes later, we rolled to a stop outside a large mansion.

  “Who lives here?”

  “Matt’s aunt and uncle.”

  “Didn’t he used to hang at his grandparents too sometimes?”

  “Yeah. He goes back and forth. Come on.”

  We hopped out and strolled to the front door. Luckily, I kept a pair of sneakers in my backpack. I was tired of the kitten heels.

  Tate pounded on the door.

  The butler appeared. “May I help you?”

  “Yes, we’re here for Matt.”

  He held the door open and stretched his hand. “Come in.”

  “Matthew, you have guests,” he called out.

  “Have a seat in the sitting room. Would you both like a beverage?”

  “No thank you.” I sat on the sofa beside Tate.

  “Water, please?” Tate stated.